Tea talk with Philine Klingel

In this article we talk about tea with Philine Klingel, the beautiful soul and brain behind Philine Klingel Somatics + Qi Gong & TCM Mentoring. Read on to find out more about Philine’s passion for tea…

What is your first memory of tea?

Like many children, my tea story began with a rather unpleasant memory: the awful taste of peppermint and fruit tea that had been allowed to stew. Fortunately, I didn’t let that put me off. My first truly positive memory of ‘real’ tea was when my mother allowed me to try a sip of her fresh Earl Grey at breakfast on a Saturday morning. That first cup sparked a lifelong love affair with that wonderfully aromatic tea.

What is your favourite tea object?

I have no hesitation in saying that my Burleigh teapot is my favourite tea object, in fact it has really got under my skin. This beautiful teapot, handmade in England using traditional methods that have been the same for over 170 years, is not just a vessel for tea, it is a work of art. And my tea bar in my kitchen at home, where I use transparent glass vessels that allow the tea leaves to unfold and bring out the full flavour and aesthetics of the tea. My tea bar is an essential part of my daily tea ritual.

What is your favourite tea memory?

My warmest and fondest memory of tea is the afternoon of my first afternoon tea in London with my mother. It wasn’t just the tea, but the whole atmosphere of being together, the delectable little treats and the feeling of being part of something special that made that day unforgettable. That experience started a tradition of my mum and I enjoying afternoon tea in different cities around the world – a tradition that makes tea a central part of our lives.

With whom would you most like to have tea?

I know it is not possible, but I would love to have afternoon tea with my mum in the English Tearoom again. The memories we share of the afternoon tea we had that day are filled with laughter, lovely stories and, of course, excellent tea – a perfect combination that I want to experience again and again.

What is your favourite tea and food combination?

There are few things more delicious than savouring freshly baked scones with delicious clotted cream and strawberry jam, accompanied by a strong, aromatic black tea. The combination of the savouriness of the scones with the subtle bitterness of the tea creates a harmonious balance that turns every bite into a feast.

If the world were to end tomorrow, which tea would you drink today?

If I only had one day left, I would start it with a cup of Citrus Earl Grey to enjoy the refreshing notes of bergamot and citrus, and end it with a Four Seasons Oolong, whose smooth and fruity aroma reminds me of the beauty of the four seasons and allows me to find a moment of peace.